Q and A

Question

Should I take Volutrip as PEP?

I’m HIV negative. At the clinic, they gave me Volutrip after I had told them I had unprotected sex. They told me to take them until they are finished, and then they’d start giving me PrEP after prescribing Volutrip medication. Do I start to consume the treatment or not?

Answer

Hi, how are you doing?

Yes, you should start to take Volutrip. Volutrip is a generic version of TLD which can be used as PEP – circumstances after a high risk exposure of HIV to prevent transmission.

This course should last 28 days and is most effective if started within 72 hours of exposure.

PrEP will be given to you after taking PEP as to avoid needing PEP in the future. PrEP is a medication you can take BEFORE possible sexual HIV exposure to prevent transmission. You can decide to take it daily or on an as and when approach depending on your lifestyle.

Please see this link for more info on PEP:
https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq

Josh.

10 comments

  1. Simon Collins

    Hi Sphiwe, PEP needs to be taken for more than five days to be very effective. If the side effects are too difficult it is okay to ask for a different version of PEP.

  2. Sphiwe

    If someone started using Volutry as PEP within 72hrs after unprotected sex then if the sides effects are very high after 4-5 days taking the polls. What happen if he stops the PEP for good.

  3. Simon Collins

    Hi Tira, ot sounds like your doctor prescribed PrEP and the PEP. This can protect you from the risk of HIV in the future. Please ask your doctor or nurse to explain this. This link is to a guide about PrEP.
    https://i-base.info/uk-guide-to-prep-february-2024/

  4. Tira

    I’m HIV negative. At the clinic, they gave me Volutrip after I had told them I had unprotected sex. They told me to take them until they are finished, and then they’d start giving me PrEP after prescribing Volutrip medication. Do I start to consume the treatment or not?

  5. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Collen, Volutrip is not a medication used to prevent HIV. Volutrip is a generic version of TLD. This can be used as treatment OR as PEP. PEP is a short course of treatment given AFTER an exposure to prevent transmission.

    To prevent transmission BEFORE an exposure you can use PrEP. This is a medication similar to volutrip but contains fewer drugs and is more effective at prevention than taking something after.

    PrEP usually has the name Truvada. More information can be found here: https://i-base.info/guides/prep

  6. Collen

    Hi can I use the volutrip just for prevention during sex

  7. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Bellina, if you are wanting to use PrEP, Volutrip is not a combination for this. Volutrip is only used to treat HIV or to be used after an exposure. PrEP is usually called Truvada and this is a 2 combination drug instead of Volutrip, which is a 3 combination drug. Volutrip can work to prevent HIV transmission however it is not recommended to be used in this way.

    PrEP: https://i-base.info/guides/prep

  8. Bellina

    Hie yes I am nagative .when I went to the clinic for prep .they gave me volutrip.this volutrip are not the ARV.becouse they look like.can I take it or .ism just asking

  9. Josh Peasegood

    Hi, Volutrip can be used as PEP. It should not be used as PrEP. While it can work as PrEP, a 2-combination drug is used for this. It is called Truvada. Volutrip will provide protection against exposure it is just not used for this. As it is used as PEP you can take a course for 28 days and then switch to a suitable PrEP combination.

  10. Anonymous

    Can Volutrip be used as Prep?
    I’ve had a possible exposure while on PEP(Volutrip)
    The exposure happened on the 26th day of PEP treatment.